My husband always likes to joke that his ancestors traveled around an entire Continent in order to obtain spices from my ancestors. And what do we know, the world of cooking was changed forever.

Spices are a big part of South Asian cooking. Almost every dish has some sort of spice that adds a whole new element to the overall taste. Here is a basic list of spices in every South Asian household:

Cumin, ground or seeds

Coriander, ground or seeds

Cinnamon, usually sticks

Turmeric, powder

Cayenne pepper, powder

Ginger, powder

Bay leaf,- never eaten

Cloves, whole-never eaten

Cardamom,green, in pods or ground

Mustard Seeds, whole

Fennel Seeds, whole

Peppercorn, black, whole

Many South Asians also make a spice blend called Garam Masala (Hot Spice). I will post a recipe of this mix, later this week.